Finance Director

Interim Finance Director

Location: Newcastle Rate: c. £700-£800 per day Duration: 6 Months+ Start: Immediate

Robert Half Finance & Accounting are supporting a PE-backed engineering business in the appointment of an Interim Finance Director.

Operating within a highly specialised project-led environment, the business delivers complex engineering solutions to customers across offshore, marine and infrastructure markets. Following a period of significant growth, the organisation is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Director to provide commercial and financial leadership during the next phase of development

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and working closely with Group leadership, the successful candidate will act as a strategic business partner whilst maintaining oversight of the finance function and supporting the delivery of a substantial project portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Managing Director and leadership team to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Provide commercial oversight of complex, long-term engineering projects and contracts.
• Review project profitability, cost-to-complete forecasts, revenue recognition, cash flow and commercial risk exposure.
• Drive improvements in forecasting, project reporting and management information.
• Support contract reviews, pricing decisions, commercial negotiations and major investment decisions.
• Lead working capital and cash flow management, ensuring effective milestone billing and collections processes.
• Provide leadership and support to an established finance team, including oversight of financial control, reporting and governance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to both operational and project teams, ensuring robust financial visibility across the business.

Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Previous Finance Director, Divisional FD or senior Head of Finance experience.
• Strong track record within project-led environments.
• Significant experience of long-term contract accounting, project accounting, revenue recognition and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Strong commercial business partnering capability with experience supporting MDs, operational leaders and project teams.
• Backgrounds within engineering, offshore, energy, defence, marine, infrastructure, construction or complex manufacturing environments would be particularly relevant.
• Able to quickly establish credibility and provide both strategic insight and hands-on support where required.

The Opportunity

This assignment is ideally suited to an Interim Finance Director who enjoys working closely with operational stakeholders and influencing commercial outcomes, rather than operating solely as a financial controller. The business is performing well, has a strong order pipeline and requires a commercially focused finance leader who can add immediate value whilst helping to shape the future finance leadership structure.

Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: